Shipping-crate.



PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Mfm/M WW A. A. STALEOKER. SHIPPING CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB 6 190a No. 808,588. PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905.

A. 'A. STALEOKER.

SHIPPING CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED FEES. 1905.

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UNI'ID STATES Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26. 1905.

Application filed February 6, 1905. fierial No. 244,411.

To (I/ZZ whom, it 77 1/11 concern:

Be it known that I, ALTAMONT A. STA- LEOKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Venice, Madison county, State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shipping-Crates, of which the following is a specification containing a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to an improved shipping-crate, and has for its object to provide a compact and economical crate possessing the advantages hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crate embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view of the three sectional sheets shown in Fig. 1 when the same are nested for shipment as empties. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical mid-section of the sectional crates when nested as shown in Fig. 2.

One object of my invention is to provide a series of crates uniform in size and capacity capable of being nested in groups of three, both for purposes of shipment when filled with goods and forreturn shipment as empties.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a series of three sectional crates, which are indicated by the numerals 4, 5, and 6, respectively, each of the said sectional crates being rectangular and formed by nailing strips upon the corner members 7 which are triangular in section. Upon the upper edge of each end of each of the said sectional crates I have provided a pin 8 and a depression 9, corresponding in size with the exposed portion of the pin 8, and upon the outer surface of each of the said ends I have provided a hook 10. Upon the ends of each of the sections I have provided the pins 11, with which the hooks 10 are adapted to engage, so that the sectional crates may be locked together, as shown in Fig. 1.

As indicated in the drawings, the sectional crates are intended to be of equal length, width, and height, their width being greater than their height and their length being less than the combined height of two of the crates, so that when the contents of the crate has been removed any two of the said crates may be attached together, as shown in Fig. 2, to inclose and surround a third crate, thus effecting great economy of space in the return of such crates as empties. The total space occupied by three empty crates arranged as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 will therefore be one-third less than the space occupied by the same number of sectional crates when set up in position for use with their contents, as shown in Fig. 1.

The function of the pins 8 and depression 9 is to hold the sectional crates against horizontal slipping, and by means of staggering the depressions 9 and pins 8 the pins will fit into the depressions whether the crates are set together top and bottom, as in Fig. 1, or top to top, the upper sectional crate being inverted, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to have secured to me by the grant of Letters Patent, is-

An improved shipping-crate, comprising a plurality of uniform-sized sections adapted to be arranged one upon another, pins projecting upwardly from the top edges of the top pair of end slats, there being corresponding recesses formed in the lower edges of the lower pair of end slats, and there being recesses formed in the top edges of the top pair of slats, which arrangement of pins and recesses allows the sections to be reversed and inverted when being superimposed to form a complete crate; substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALTAMONT A. STALECKER.

Witnesses:

THOMAS J. HooLAN, META ScHULzE. 

